3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing technology where a three-dimensional object is produced by placing successive layers of material to create the final product. 3D printing is also referred as rapid prototyping method. This method is an automated method whereby 3D objects are rapidly made on a reasonably sized machine connected to a computer including the blueprint for the object.The 3D printing method saves time and cost with the use of inkjet technology. Product formation is presently the main application of 3D printing technology. In Medical Field, doctors are using 3D printing machines to print body parts for reference prior to complicated surgeries. Other machines are used to build bone grafts for patients who have undergone painful injuries.

The global 3Dprinting gases market is mainly driven by the technical advancement and industrialisation coupled with an increasing population in developing regions.Growing demand in various applications such as design & manufacturing, healthcare, consumer products, and others is another driving factor that is expected to boost the 3D printing gas market during the years to come. Design & manufacturing sector is anticipated to have the largest market share and dominate the 3D printing gases market during the forecast period.In addition, the market will also develop due to an increase in investment in research & development for the technologies of 3D printing. Furthermore, growing demand for 3D printing in emerging economies coupled with technological advancement is likely to open new opportunities for 3D printing gases market in near future.

Based on types of 3D printing gases, the market is segmented into categories such as argon, nitrogen, and gas mixtures. Among all, the argon gas was leading segment and it accounted for significant share of entire global 3Dprinting gases market in 2015. The gas mixture segment is expected to grow at the fastest growth rate in years to come.

On the basis of technology, the global 3D printing market segmented into stereolithography, laser sintering, poly-jet technology, and others.Laser sintering was one of the leading technologies of global 3D printing gases market and accounted for largest share of the total revenue generated in 2015.On the basis of the end user, 3D printing gases market is segmented into design & manufacturing, healthcare, consumer products, and others. Design & manufacturing, healthcare are the major segments and expected to be the fastest growing segment in forthcoming years.

The regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa with its further bifurcation into major countries including U.S. Germany, France, UK, China, Japan, India and Brazil. North America dominated the 3D printing gases market and accounted for largest share of the global market in 2015. North America was followed by Europe in terms of overall revenue generated. The 3D printing gases market in Asia-Pacific region is expected to exhibit significant growth owing to the growth of the design & manufacturing and health care industry and rising population in this region.